The Wrap: Rangers fall 4-1: Thoughts, stats, quotes and more

After the game, an angry Assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld was pounding on the locked double doors of the visitor’s locker room as the Rangers discussed their performance in private…Ryan Callahan (minus-2 in 20:20, 3 shots, one block) is not quite 100 percent. He had a golden chance to put the Rangers ahead in the second, but his soft five-hole bid was stopped by Martin Brodeur. Said his foot didn’t hamper him at all….John Scott’s first fight as a Ranger at 12:32 against Cam Janssen, wasn’t punishing….Brad Richards did not have a shot….Neither did Michael del Zotto….Ilya Kovalchuk had 8…John Tortorella called the first period a “horse-bleep” one…Dan Girardi must be wearing down. He struggled. “danny’s fine,” Torts said….Steve Eminger was minus-2 in 11:40 in his first game back after sitting for six…Lundqvist: “We just have to stick together.” Wonder if he plays against Ottawa Thursday, or will Martin Biron be tabbed?

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Defenseman Anton Stralman, who had played 40 straight games but was benched for the third period against the Bruins on Sunday after committing two giveaways, was a healthy scratch. Forward John Mitchell (5-8-13 in 46 games) also was a scratch, as John Scott dressed for the fourth consecutive game and played 5:19. I'm betting Mitchell, whose right hand was in ice after the morning skate, is back against Ottawa.

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Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather, who steadfastly refused to include Boston College forward Chris Kreider in a trade package for Blue Jacket star Rick Nash, didn’t name him in his pre-game comments on deadline day. But Sather was more forthcoming in an interview with broadcaster Dave Starman on CBS Sports, suggesting that Kreider could join the team this season.

“I don’t say it’s a guaranteed jump, but he has all the credentials. I don’t think there’s going to be a problem, if he’s mentally ready,” Sather said in a phone call during Boston College's game against Vermont on Saturday. “He’s developed his hockey sense. It’s been a good move for him to stay in college for a couple years,” he said of Kreider, 21, the club’s 2009 first-round draft choice who will graduate in April. “Gordie Clark (director of player personnel) is very positive about him....We’re looking forward to having him come here, especially with all the injuries we’ve been having. He’s a great skater, he’s got size (6-3) and he’s one of the fastest players I’ve seen.”

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Brian Leetch will be honored at the third annual John Halligan-Dick McGuire Irish-American Good Guy Awards luncheon on March 14 at Gallagher’s Steak House in Manhattan. Tickets are $85 (212-972-5337). The fundraiser, which also will honor broadcaster Mike Breen and Patrick T. Burke, a classmate of the late Halligan, a NHL publicist, historian and author, benefits the John Halligan Memorial Scholarship at Fordham.

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